Happy 64th Israel!!

Composite image of fireworks display for Israel's 64th Independence Day on Mount Hertzl in Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Israel. 25-Apr-2012.

Israel Air Force salutes the President with a 3-helicopter flyover above the Presidential Residence on the morning of Israel's 64th Independence Day. Foreground sign indicates left to Jabotinsky Street and right to the President’s Boulevard. Jerusalem, Israel. 26-Apr-2012.

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Memorial Day

Everything comes to a stop nationwide, including the Jerusalem Light Rail, at exactly 11:00 on Memorial Day as a two-minute air-raid siren shatters the silence. Passengers stand solemnly contemplating Israel’s 22,993 fallen soldiers and terror victims. Jerusalem, Israel. 25-Apr-2012.

A mother lays her head in grief on the grave of her son in the Police section of Mt. Hertzl Military Cemetery. Jerusalem, Israel. 25-Apr-2012.

A lone IDF soldier sits by the grave of a family member or friend at Mt. Hertzl Military Cemetery on Memorial Day. Jerusalem, Israel. 25-Apr-2012.

Clicking each of the images above will take you to a different set!

 

Preparations Underway for Memorial Day

IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General, Benny Gantz, salutes Lieutenant Hila Betzaleli, 20, killed last week after being struck by a collapsing steel lighting fixture during rehearsal for Remembrance Day ceremony, as grieving mother weeps. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

IDF soldiers of all units and beret colors take part in a pre-Memorial Day ceremony in which small flags at half-mast with black ribbons symbolizing grief are placed on the graves of all 22,993 fallen soldiers nationwide. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General, Benny Gantz, places small flags at half-mast with black ribbons symbolizing grief on the freshest graves of fallen soldiers at Mount Herztel Military Cemetery before Memorial Day. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

Israel Police Commissioner, Yohanan Danino, leads a pre-Memorial Day ceremony in which small flags are placed on the graves of all 1,418 fallen police officers nationwide, beginning with the last deceased, Commander Shimon Gabai. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

Policemen stand at attention during a pre-Memorial Day ceremony with families of the dead in the Police Section of the Mt. Hertzel military Cemetery. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

Policemen stand at attention during a pre-Memorial Day ceremony with families of the dead in the Police Section of the Mt. Hertzel military Cemetery. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

Israel Police Commissioner, Yohanan Danino (center), leads a pre-Memorial Day ceremony in which small flags are placed on the graves of all 1,418 fallen police officers nationwide, beginning with the last deceased, Commander Shimon Gabai. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Apr-2012.

Greek Orthodox Maundy Thursday at the Holy Sepulchre – Jerusalem

Thousands assemble at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Maundy Thursday services led by Theophilus III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the traditional Washing of the Feet ceremony. Jerusalem, Israel. 12-Apr-2012.

Thousands assemble at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Maundy Thursday services led by Theophilus III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the traditional Washing of the Feet ceremony. Jerusalem, Israel. 12-Apr-2012.

Barefooted priests await their turn in the traditional Washing of the Feet ceremony, conducted by Theophilus III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the Holy Sepulchre Church on Maundy Thursday. Jerusalem, Israel. 12-Apr-2012.

Theophilus III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, wearing a white robe, kneels before priests to wash their feet in the traditional Washing of the Feet ceremony, at the Holy Sepulchre Church on Maundy Thursday. Jerusalem, Israel. 12-Apr-2012.

Thousands assemble at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Maundy Thursday services led by Theophilus III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the traditional Washing of the Feet ceremony. Jerusalem, Israel. 12-Apr-2012.

PM of Italy Mario Monti visits Yad Vashem – Jerusalem

Italian Prime Minister, Mario Monti, and wife, Antonioli Monti, receive instruction from Dr. Yael Nidam Orvietto as they gaze up at enlarged Pages of Testimony displayed on the ceiling of the Hall of Names at Yad Vashem. Jerusalem, Israel. 9-Apr-2012.

12, 1012 or 2012?

Christian African pilgrims await the opening of the doors to the Holy Sepulchre Church on Good Friday. Jerusalem, Israel. 6-Apr-2012.

… and many more images of devoted pilgrims HERE

 

Believers at the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Thursday – Jerusalem

Archbishop Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrives at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to lead services on Holy Thursday. Jerusalem, Israel. 5-Apr-2012.

A devoted nun kisses the Stone of Unction in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Thursday. Jerusalem, Israel. 5-Apr-2012.

Sunlight flows in from a window in the ceiling of the Rotunda, above praying nuns and priests, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during services on Holy Thursday. Jerusalem, Israel. 5-Apr-2012.

A man lights candles in worship in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during services on Holy Thursday. Jerusalem, Israel. 5-Apr-2012.